This story written by Lt Marcy's Nephew and Namesake, Richard Marcy Steffens;

I have spoken with my sister to gather information about my uncle (1st Lt R.P. Marcy). As I write, I will refer to my uncle as Richie.

Richie was the youngest of 6 children. Having 1 sister and 4 brothers. From oldest to youngest were Hazel, Charles (Chuck), Mortimer (Mort), Benjamin (Ben), Robert (Bob), Richard (Richie). His parents were Nettie M. Marcy and Mortimer G. Marcy Sr.
My mother (Hazel) was born in 1909 and Richie was born on May 26, 1921. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Richie's father died in June, 1939 at age 54. Richie's mother (Nettie) came to live with my parents in the early 1940's.
I was born in July 1945 after Richie's death. Therefore, I became his namesake (Richard Marcy Steffens). As I grew up I was treated very special by my grandmother (Nettie). I was with her when she died on Dec. 12, 1991. She was 103 and a half to the day. She was a very saintly person who read the bible daily.

As a child , Richie was very interested in airplanes. His hobby was building model airplanes. He also collected SKY BIRDS gum cards. These cards came in bubble gum packets and were of many WW1 pilots and famous aviators. This was his passion. I believe he was destined to become a pilot. You can google (SKY BIRDS) if you would like to see what these cards look like. This collection was given to me and I since have given this collection to Aaron.

After Richie completed school, he worked for a company called "Minneapolis Moline". This company manufactured farm machinery. His father and brother also worked there.

Richie enlisted into the Army Airforce and was accepted for flight training school. While he was in flight training around Phoenix, Arizona he met Aaron's mother.

I really don't know much about his missions overseas, because I believe they were not allowed to write about them. As I understand, they were in North Africa and then moved into Italy. I'm not sure , but I believe he had flown about 150 missions.

God Bless our Brave Heroes. -B

7 July, 2009 As a matter of interest, Lt Marcy had a brother who sunk a Japanese destroyer in the Pacific flying in a B-25 or B-26, the Family is searching for a Unit, Date and Place.

Richard P Marcy